Thomas Lewis was born in Indiana, December 29, 1837 and died at the home of a nephew, Earl Lewis, of Wheatland, Wyoming, May 24, 1934 at the age of 96 years, four months, and 29 days. He grew to manhood in Indiana and then moved with his parents to Illinois.
When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the 9th Illinois cavalry and served almost continually during the entire war. He was taken prisoner and placed in the Libby prison for a time and then taken to the Anderson prison. He was kept in the two prisons for 9 months, but was liberated and received an honorable discharge from the army at the close of the war.
In the year 1870 he came to Jewel County, Kansas and took up a homestead a few miles west of Burr Oak. He endured all the hardships of an early settler of the plains. He raised some sod corn and hauled it to Waterville, the nearest grist mill, to be ground into meal for corn bread. He helped to build roads and bridges, break the sod, and build the houses in this part of the county.
He was married to Miss Lydia M. Hockett in 1876. The marriage took place in a sod church called New Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis never had any children of their own, but reared two, the younger sister of Mrs. Lewis and a nephew of Mr. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis died in the year 1911 and was laid to rest in Burr Oak cemetery.
From weakness caused by old age and a lingering sickness at the home of his nephew, he passed away strong in the faith that God would take care of him. He possessed the three great qualities that will make a neighborhood or nation great: a willingness to work hard, willing to sacrifice for others and a great faith in God.
The body was brought to Burr Oak for burial and was taken to the Merritt Funeral home where it rested until Saturday morning when it was taken to the Burr Oak cemetery where a short service was held at the grave conducted by Rev. Stelson. A mixed quartet sang two songs. The pall bearers were American Legion men dressed in soldier uniforms. Draped in the American flag the body was lowered to rest beside that of his wife who preceded him to the better land.
Burr Oak Herald May 1934
When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the 9th Illinois cavalry and served almost continually during the entire war. He was taken prisoner and placed in the Libby prison for a time and then taken to the Anderson prison. He was kept in the two prisons for 9 months, but was liberated and received an honorable discharge from the army at the close of the war.
In the year 1870 he came to Jewel County, Kansas and took up a homestead a few miles west of Burr Oak. He endured all the hardships of an early settler of the plains. He raised some sod corn and hauled it to Waterville, the nearest grist mill, to be ground into meal for corn bread. He helped to build roads and bridges, break the sod, and build the houses in this part of the county.
He was married to Miss Lydia M. Hockett in 1876. The marriage took place in a sod church called New Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis never had any children of their own, but reared two, the younger sister of Mrs. Lewis and a nephew of Mr. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis died in the year 1911 and was laid to rest in Burr Oak cemetery.
From weakness caused by old age and a lingering sickness at the home of his nephew, he passed away strong in the faith that God would take care of him. He possessed the three great qualities that will make a neighborhood or nation great: a willingness to work hard, willing to sacrifice for others and a great faith in God.
The body was brought to Burr Oak for burial and was taken to the Merritt Funeral home where it rested until Saturday morning when it was taken to the Burr Oak cemetery where a short service was held at the grave conducted by Rev. Stelson. A mixed quartet sang two songs. The pall bearers were American Legion men dressed in soldier uniforms. Draped in the American flag the body was lowered to rest beside that of his wife who preceded him to the better land.
Burr Oak Herald May 1934
Thomas Lewis was born in Indiana, December 29, 1837 and died at the home of a nephew, Earl Lewis, of Wheatland, Wyoming, May 24, 1934 at the age of 96 years, four months, and 29 days. He grew to manhood in Indiana and then moved with his parents to Illinois.
When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the 9th Illinois cavalry and served almost continually during the entire war. He was taken prisoner and placed in the Libby prison for a time and then taken to the Anderson prison. He was kept in the two prisons for 9 months, but was liberated and received an honorable discharge from the army at the close of the war.
In the year 1870 he came to Jewel County, Kansas and took up a homestead a few miles west of Burr Oak. He endured all the hardships of an early settler of the plains. He raised some sod corn and hauled it to Waterville, the nearest grist mill, to be ground into meal for corn bread. He helped to build roads and bridges, break the sod, and build the houses in this part of the county.
He was married to Miss Lydia M. Hockett in 1876. The marriage took place in a sod church called New Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis never had any children of their own, but reared two, the younger sister of Mrs. Lewis and a nephew of Mr. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis died in the year 1911 and was laid to rest in Burr Oak cemetery.
From weakness caused by old age and a lingering sickness at the home of his nephew, he passed away strong in the faith that God would take care of him. He possessed the three great qualities that will make a neighborhood or nation great: a willingness to work hard, willing to sacrifice for others and a great faith in God.
The body was brought to Burr Oak for burial and was taken to the Merritt Funeral home where it rested until Saturday morning when it was taken to the Burr Oak cemetery where a short service was held at the grave conducted by Rev. Stelson. A mixed quartet sang two songs. The pall bearers were American Legion men dressed in soldier uniforms. Draped in the American flag the body was lowered to rest beside that of his wife who preceded him to the better land.
Burr Oak Herald May 1934
When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the 9th Illinois cavalry and served almost continually during the entire war. He was taken prisoner and placed in the Libby prison for a time and then taken to the Anderson prison. He was kept in the two prisons for 9 months, but was liberated and received an honorable discharge from the army at the close of the war.
In the year 1870 he came to Jewel County, Kansas and took up a homestead a few miles west of Burr Oak. He endured all the hardships of an early settler of the plains. He raised some sod corn and hauled it to Waterville, the nearest grist mill, to be ground into meal for corn bread. He helped to build roads and bridges, break the sod, and build the houses in this part of the county.
He was married to Miss Lydia M. Hockett in 1876. The marriage took place in a sod church called New Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis never had any children of their own, but reared two, the younger sister of Mrs. Lewis and a nephew of Mr. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis died in the year 1911 and was laid to rest in Burr Oak cemetery.
From weakness caused by old age and a lingering sickness at the home of his nephew, he passed away strong in the faith that God would take care of him. He possessed the three great qualities that will make a neighborhood or nation great: a willingness to work hard, willing to sacrifice for others and a great faith in God.
The body was brought to Burr Oak for burial and was taken to the Merritt Funeral home where it rested until Saturday morning when it was taken to the Burr Oak cemetery where a short service was held at the grave conducted by Rev. Stelson. A mixed quartet sang two songs. The pall bearers were American Legion men dressed in soldier uniforms. Draped in the American flag the body was lowered to rest beside that of his wife who preceded him to the better land.
Burr Oak Herald May 1934
Inscription
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Please do not decorate this grave with honors of war.
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